The Seals storyline in The Book of Revelation

[LTL]

The seals storyline begins in Chapter Five where Jesus takes the book from the hand of the Father. The book has seven seals attached. And although Jesus took the book in Rev. 5:7, he had already opened the seals prior to that time as referenced in Rev. 5:5. That is, Jesus had already opened the seals before he took the book. And the way he did this is by paying his atoning sacrifice first, thereby opening the seals, and then upon that qualification took possession of the book. The order of events are:

1) Jesus paid his life
2) that payment opened the seals (Rev. 5:5)
3) recognition of Jesus' payment is in Rev. 5:6
4) and then Jesus took possession of the book (Rev. 5:7)

It follows that when we get to Chapter Six, John begins to see the seals opened. Wherein their opening began back in Rev. 5:5, when Jesus is referenced as having paid the atonement. That is, in Chapter Six John is viewing the opening of the seals that took place as referenced in Rev. 5:5. That the actual opening of the seals took place as referenced in Chapter Five, and then in Chapter Six John is allowed to witness via vision the opening of those seals.

So it is that Chapter Six is not the actual opening of the seals, but John viewing the opening of the seals that had previously taken place as referenced in Rev. 5:5.

Thus, Chapter Six is a retro chapter sitting between Chapters Five and Seven. That is, Chapter Six is a vision about the opening of the seals that took place as referenced in Rev. 5:5. From this we see that the seals are historical in nature. They reference events that took place before Jesus took possession of the book.

Jesus' atonement
the seals are opened
Jesus takes the book

In other words, between the time of the atonement and Jesus' taking the book, the seals were opened. Therefore, the opening of the seals did not take but a moment, and it was the atonement that opened the seals. That is, as John sees the vision in Chapter Six, he sees the application of the atonement to the opening of the seals as they play out in a historical context. And since the atonement pertains to the salvation of souls, then the seals are referencing the millennial history of man to which the atonement applies.

With this understanding, that the seals are referencing the millennial history of man to which the atonement applies (Rev. 5:5), then we are given Chapter Seven. Therefore, Chapter Seven is Jesus taking the Book as stated in Rev. 5:7.

That is, the atonement (Rev. 5:5) leading to Jesus taking the book (Rev. 5:7) is shown in vision to John in Chapter Six which is the historical application of the atonement, followed by Chapter Seven that is the historical application of Jesus taking the book. Thus we have the seals in Chapter Six and the ending as the 144,000 being sealed in Chapter Seven. The seals end with sealed. As in, 1) seals and then 2) the end, sealed.

And so it is that the seals storyline begins in Chapter Five and ends in Chapter Seven. Although, the seventh and final seal is in Rev. 8:1. But that simply represents the seventh millennium coming after the events of the previous six millennium are finished. As in the Savior taking the book via the 144,000 who serve (Ch. 7).

The atonement opens the seals
Jesus take the book via the 144,000

Notice the ending of Chapter Seven.
15Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

And I have to admit that the above verse links back to Rev. 4:10 which suggests that Chapter Four begins the seals storyline.
10The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

In conclusion, the seals storyline proper is from Chapter Five through Chapter Seven and includes Chapters Four and the beginning of Chapter Eight.

Within the Chapter Six vision of the seals and the Chapter Seven vision of Jesus taking of the book are several other interpretative layers.

 

[LTL]

I have a friend that did an excellent work on the six millennial events in Chapter six. But it is enough to say that each of these six events simply represent the the saints to which the atonement applies. Thus, there are six thousand years of man upon the earth, and the Savior's atonement (Rev. 5:5) applies to the saints therein. And this is represented in the seals of Chapter Six.

Whereas, the taking of the book (Rev. 5:7) represents more than the seals themselves but the resurrection of the saints listed in the book. So there are two things going on here. The seals representing the saints of the six millennia, and the resurrection of those saints.

And again there are other levels of interpretative value in these verses. But the most important is the resurrection of saints represented in Chapter Seven. So while the salvation of souls (v. 5:5) is important, the conquering of death for their resurrection is more important (v. 5:7). Thus Jesus went forth conquering death as well as to conquer death for his saints and here is Rev. 6:2 showing these actions.

2And I saw, and behold a white horse (represents The Father of Rev. 5:1):
and he that sat on him (is the Savior and this is also shown in Rev. 19:11)
had a bow;
and a crown was given unto him (the reward of the atonement):
and he went forth conquering (when he resurrected himself from death),
and to conquer (when he resurrects others from death).

With the above information it is reasonable that Jesus was not resurrected until after Rev. 5:7 when he took the book. Thus, we can say that taking the book in Rev. 5:7 is the point wherein Jesus was resurrected. And after he took the book resurrecting himself, and then he goes forth to resurrect others. That is, he goes forth to conquer and this is represented in Chapter Seven.

So in the above verse where Jesus goes forth to conquer "death" for his saints, it begins in the tribulation as represented in the seals of Chapter Six. And so lets begin in Chapter Seven where four seals are simply passed over as the four winds in Rev. 7:1-3. That is, the four winds in Verses 7:1-3 in their first interpretative value are the four seals in Rev. 6:1-8. This means that the four angels in Rev. 7:1-3 are being interpretated as the four seals of Chapter Six at Rev. 6:1-8.

Thus, the seals of Chapter Six not only represent the historical events of the six millennia, and the saints having salvation therein, but also the events of the tribulation, of which the fifth seal is expanded in Rev. 7:4-12 as the 144,000 receiving authority to participate in the Savior's taking of the book in Rev. 5:7.

The challenge is to keep the interpretations in the verses correctly aligned.

 

[LTL]

There is a power structure with regard to the seals, ending at the fifth seal. Thus, the sealing of the 144,000 is the action of giving power to these servants. It is for this reason that the 144,000 stand with the Father's name in their foreheads in Rev. 14:1. They represent the Father to whom they are sealed. We also see them in Rev. 9:4 where the wicked demons are not able to interfere with the work of the 144,000. And interestingly enough is that the fifth trumpet corresponds to the fifth seal. So, the fifth seal wherein the 144,000 are sealed, as explained previously, corresponds to the power given to the wicked demon in the fifth trumpet at Rev. 9:1.

It is like the Savior does things equally. That when the 144,000 are empowered to serve then the wicked are equally empowered to destroy. And as a result the population of the earth must decide one or the other. Repent and be gathered or "not" to repent and be destroyed by demons.

And this is only fitting because the world is coming to an end and the people need to decide who they join with. So the 144,000 conduct the harvest and this is in the judgment. So I have gone from the fifth seal in the tribulation, to the fifth trumpet in the judgment. And just to clarify, the tribulation is 3.5 years long, and the judgment that follows is also 3.5 years long. So the idea is to keep these things in their appropriate places as we look as the prophecy. And the prophecy is in the revelation that John is being shown by the angel of Rev. 1:1.

That is, there is only one angel in the Book of Revelation and it is the angel of Rev. 1:1. This angel is referenced throughout the text as the "loud" angel (Rev. 10:3, Rev. 19:17, Rev. 14:18, etc.). Thus, anytime there is a reference to a "loud" angel then it is referencing the angel of Rev. 1:1 who is showing John the vision. Other references to this angel are the beasts of Rev. 6:1-8, the elder of Rev. 5:5, Rev. 7:13, and the angel out of the altar in Rev. 16:7. So it helps to know how John references the angel of Rev. 1:1 throughout the text of the book.
Also the Savior is referenced in several places, and John references himself as an angel on occasion.

And back to the power structure. The Father is the power for the Savior and this is shown clearly in Rev. 19:11 where the Savior is upon the horse. It follows that the Father as the white horse in Rev. 6:2 gives power to the Savior. This is also represented as the Father on the throne giving the book to the Savior in Rev. 5:1 and Rev. 5:7.

The Savior in turn gives power to the angel. This is clearly stated in Rev. 1:1 where the angel is instructed to show John the revelation. This is also shown in Rev. 10 where the angel gives the book to John instructing him to eat. And in Rev. 6:1-8 where the four beasts that are the angel of Rev. 1:1 show John the vision of the four seals. Thus, the power to do the work is transferred from Jesus to the angel represented as the power of the red horse to the rider. Here is Rev. 6:4 with this information.

4And there went out another horse that was red (the Savior):
and power was given to him that sat thereon (the Rev. 1:1 angel)
to take peace from the earth (this is the judgment upon Babylon in Rev. 17),
and that they should kill one another (this is the judgment center and the focus of this judgment);
and there was given unto him a great sword (this is parallel to taking peace from the earth above).

And I should mention that there are chiasmi everywhere in scripture. These are structures that aid in the interpretation of scripture. And so in Verse 6:4 above, there is a chiasmus that I am referencing.

a) to take peace from the earth,
b) and that they should kill one another;
a) and there was given unto him a great sword.

As you can see, the angel of Rev. 1:1 not only is instructed to show John the revelation, but he also has responsibility over the judgment upon Babylon (Rev. 17:1). It is there that peace will be taken from the earth via the great sword. And as a result the population of the earth will kill each other. Because, they choose not to follow Jesus Christ, and the people are being forced to choose whom they wish to follow.

 

[LTL]

From the previous chiasmus in Rev. 6:4, peace is to be taken from the earth via a great sword. Although, the verse does not specifically say it is the great sword that takes peace from the earth. But the idea is that the population of the earth will kill one another as a result of peace being taken from the earth. And, the angel has this responsibility because he is the rider of the red horse.

So the premise is that Jesus is the power behind the angel who is showing John the vision. Thus, Jesus is represented as the red horse and the angel is represented as the rider. Also, the angel has been given responsibility over the population of the earth. And we see this in Rev. 10:2 where this angel stands upon the sea and the earth meaning those who follow the Rev. 13:1 and Rev. 13:11 beasts. And from this then the metaphors for the followers of these two beasts in the Book of Revelation are the sea and the earth.

Thus, the angel of Rev. 10:1 has responsibility over the followers of the beasts of the sea and earth (Rev. 10:2). That is, he stands on them. He also has responsibility over the saints of God because he holds the open book. And as you may recall from Chapter Five, the Savior has opened the book. Therefore, the angel showing John the revelation (Rev. 1:1) and instructing him to eat the book (Rev. 10:8-10) is instructing John to take responsibility over the saints of God to whom the Savior has a responsibility to resurrect. Therefore, John is the great sword in the Rev. 6:4 chiasmus.

Thus, the judgment upon Babylon in Chapter Seventeen is what takes peace from the earth. Here is the Verse 6:4 chiasmus again:

a) to take peace from the earth (the angel has power to take peace from the earth via the judgment upon Babylon),
b) and that they should kill one another;
a) and there was given unto him a great sword (the angel is given John).

So what is the angel's power by which he takes peace from the earth.

Rev. 17:17For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.

The angel's power is that God has put in the hearts of the wicked kings (Rev. 17:12-13) to agree and give their kingdom to the beast. And how did God do this? It was done via the great sword given to the angel.

That is, the angel having responsibility is given John by which the wicked kings hearts are stirred to fulfill God's will. And, we see this today as Israel has stirred the world against Babylon, the US petro-dollar. Thus, John, the servant of Jesus Christ, is moving Israel to fulfill God's will to motivate the wicked kings to destroy Babylon.

 

[LTL]

In Rev. 6:5-6, Join is the rider of the black horse. Again the angel of Rev. 1:1 who is tasked with showing the vision asks John to come and see. The black horse represents the power by which john has power and this was mentioned previously. Thus, the angel is represented as the black horse. This is easy to see in Chapter Ten where John receives instruction at the hand of the angel (Rev. 10:10-11).

v. 6:5And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.
v. 10:10And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.

And since John has power and authority over the two balances in his hand, then he has power and authority over the saints of God as represented in the little book of Chapter Ten. First are the 144,000 of Rev. 7:4-8, and secondly the saints that these 144,000 gather in the harvest (Rev. 14:14-16). These are the two balances in John's hand. They are the saints of God listed in the book of Rev. 5:7. John accepted authority over them when he ate the book in Rev. 10:10.

6And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.

In Verse Six we see that when these two groups are assigned an equal value it takes three measures of barley to equal one measure of wheat. Thus, the wheat is more valuable than the barley. That is, the saints of the harvest (Rev. 14:14-16) have more value than the harvesters (Rev. 14:1). So, just because the saints are harvested after the sealing of the 144,000, does not mean they are of less value. And the Savior in the midst continues that John is to protect the 144,000 of the covenant (the oil) and the saints of the harvest (the wine). The 144,000 are represented as the barley under the covenant (sealing/oil), and the saints of the harvest are represented as the wheat under the sacrament (salvation/wine).

And one thing that should be mentioned is that the word "midst" references the Savior here in the Book of Revelation. He is in the midst (Rev. 6:6, Rev. 5:6, Rev. 4:6, etc.). The Verse 4:6 reference is interesting because the Savior is in the midst as is the Father, followed by the angel and John about he throne.

v. 4:6And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne (God, Father and Son), and round about the throne (the angel and John), were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.

These are the four of Rev. 1:1. The verse reads, before the throne was the earth, and in the midst of the throne is God, and round about is the angel and John. And I should mention that Chapter Four although part of the seals storyline is the hereafter chapter. Meaning that it is after the events of the tribulation and judgment have been resolved. The Chapter places more appropriately after Rev. 11:14. And so Chapter Four, when the seals are considered as the 3.5 year tribulation, and the trumpets are considered as the 3.5 year judgment, can appropriately be placed after Rev. 11:14. The reason that the sea of glass is the earth, after the events of the tribulation and judgment, is found in Chapter Twenty One.

 

[LTL]

It is easy to see a relationship between the four seals in Chapter Six and the four trumpets in Chapter Eight.

1st seal - 1st trumpet
2nd seal - 2nd trumpet
3rd seal - 3rd trumpet
4th seal - 4th trumpet

And it is a little harder to see the relationship between the four seals in Chapter Six and the judgment and burning of Babylon in Chapters Seventeen-Eighteen.

1st and 2nd seal - judgment upon Babylon
3rd and 4th seal - burning of Babylon

It follows that Rev. 6:7-8 are the ending to the fall and burning of Babylon in the seals storyline (Ch. 5-7). And likewise Rev. 8:12 is the ending to the fall and burning of Babylon in the trumpets storyline (Ch. 8-11). And Chapter Eighteen is the ending to the fall and burning of Babylon in that storyline (Ch. 17-21).

For the mark of the beast storyline (Ch. 12-16), the fall and burning of Babylon is given in Chapter Twelve. And it is clearly stated in the Rev. 14:8-11 reference to Chapter Twelve.

So lets take a look at the fall and burning if Babylon in Chapter Twelve which is most easily seen by the parallel referencing to the fall and burning of Babylon in Chapter Six.

Rev. 6:1-2 the 1st seal - Rev. 12:1-2 the great sign of 23 September 2017
Rev. 6:3-4 the 2nd seal judgment upon Babylon - Rev. 12:3-4 the dragon begins
Rev. 6:5-6 the actions of John - Rev. 12:5-6 the actions of John
Rev. 6:7-8 the burning of Babylon - Rev. 12:7-9 the burning of Babylon set to the type of the war in heaven

And the relationship between these two chapters is obvious. Each having seventeen verses and so forth.

In conclusion, the fall and burning of Babylon is easy to see in each of the four storylines.

 

[LTL]

Each of the four storylines have the 3.5 year tribulation, and the 3.5 year judgment. But keep in mind that there are other interpretative values. But lets consider the seals at the fall of Babylon (Rev. 6:1-8, includes her burning), and the trumpets at the fall of Babylon (Rev. 8:7-12). Notice the corresponding verses as follows:

This is the the 23 September great sign, Rev, 6:1-2 the good guys contrasted to Rev, 8:7 the bad guys
This is the judgment upon Babylon (Ch. 17), Rev. 6:3-4 the good guys contrasted to Rev. 8:8-9 the bad guys
This is the saints of God, Rev. 6:5-6 the good guys contrasted to Rev. 8:10-11 the bad guys
This is Babylon's burning, Rev. 6:7-8 the bad guys contrasted to Rev. 8:12 the good guys

And I realize that this is hard to see. But the point is that the above four seals are parallel to the above four trumpets.

And now we go to the fifth seal and the fifth trumpet.

Rev. 6:9-11 the good guys contrasted to Rev. 9:1-12 the bad guys

That is, the fall of Babylon in the four seals and trumpets gives way to the next event which is harvest of saints and everything that goes along with that. And Rev. 9:4 shows the harvesting quite clearly.

v. 9:4And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.

In the above verse the wicked demons can not hurt the 144,000 harvesters. These were sealed in Rev. 7:4-8 and stand with Christ in Rev. 14:1. Their harvesting is clearly stated in Rev. 14:14-16. Thus, the fifth seal shows preparation for the harvest, and the fifth trumpet show the actual harvesting.

And keep in mind that we are talking about tribulation and not judgement events. Because, both the fall of Babylon and the harvest of saints are events in the 3.5-year tribulation. However, both of these events pertain to judgements. The fall of Babylon judgment is stated in Chapter Seventeen, and the harvest of saints judgment is stated in Rev. 14:7.

Rev. 14:7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

This verse (v. 14:7) is addressing the judgment regarding the harvest of saints in Rev. 14:14-16. In this judgment, only the faithful saints of God are included. These are referenced as "heaven" in the above verse. It follows that the followers of the 13:11 beast called "earth" and the followers of the 13:1 beast called "sea" as well as the saints of God who followed the false prophet Wormwood (Rev. 8:10-11) called the fountains of waters, are rejected. These rejections are stipulated to in the warning of Rev. 14:8-11 that follows the announcement of this judgment in Rev. 14:7 above.

Rev. 14:8-11
And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
(Babylon fell, including her burning, in the four seals of Chapter Six as well as the four trumpets of Chapter Eight, as well as Chapters Seventeen and Eighteen.
9And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, 10The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: 11And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
As you can see, those who took the mark are eliminated from this harvest. These verses are providing a clear warning that to be in the harvest of saints the individual can not take the mark. And the harvest takes place in the next verses (Rev. 14:14-16) that harmonize with the fifth seal and the fifth trumpets at Rev. 6:9-11 and Rev. 9:1-12.

So now I have explained two judgments, the judgment upon Babylon that causes her fall and burning, and the judgment upon those who take the mark of the beast that restricts them from the harvest of saints. These two judgments are represented in the four seals and trumpets, as well as the fifth seal and trumpet.

And now the next judgment is the winepress. This one is easy to see in the sixth seal at Rev. 6:12-17, the sixth trumpet at Rev. 9:13-21, the winepress at Rev. 14:17-20, and the winepress at Rev. 19:10-21. This judgment is stated in Rev. 17:8 that these wicked beasts are sent to perdition.

Rev 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

Rev. 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

In conclusion, there are a series of judgments in the Book of Revelation, as stated above. And by harmonizing the four storylines we can get a better view of these judgments.

 

[LTL]

Perhaps the most difficult seal to understand is the sixth (Rev. 6:12-17). And keep in mind that the seals are primarily tribulation events. Although they are often considered in other applications. But for now we are looking at the sixth seal as an event in the 3.5-year tribulation. And in the tribulation, the sixth seal is the winepress. And the winepress is easily viewed in Rev. 14:17-20 and Rev. 19:10-21.

And the sixth seal as the winepress has its counterpart in the sixth trumpet, making Rev. 9:13-21 the winepress as well. And it is here, in the winepress of the trumpets, that we see the 144,000 represented as the great river Euphrates.

Rev. 9:14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.

If you recall, the four angels were restricted from releasing their destructions until the 144,000 were sealed (Rev. 7:1-3).

Rev. 7:1-3 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. 2And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 3Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

With the above information then the angel from the east in Rev. 7:1-3 is the sixth angel of Rev. 9:13-14. The difference is that in the first case this angel from the east is instructing the four angels to wait, and in the second case this angel is instructed to release the four angels who were bound, restricted, waiting, until the 144,000 were sealed. So in Rev. 9:14, now that the 144,000 have been sealed, then the four angels can be released.

It follows that in Verse 9:14 the great river Euphrates, the servants of God, have previously been sealed in their foreheads and stand with Christ as stated in (Rev. 14:1).

Rev. 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Zion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.

And so it is that Rev. 9:13-21 is the winepress. And these verses are in harmony with Rev. 14:17-20. And these verses occur after the 144,000 have been sealed in Rev. 7:4-8.

And these 144,000 are metaphorically referenced in Verse 9:14 as the great river Euphrates. And with this information then whom is instructing the sixth angel (Rev. 9:13-14), that in Rev. 7:1-3 is the angel from the east having the seal of the living God.

Rev. 9:13-14 And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.

Notice that the sixth angel sounded before receiving instruction. This harmonizes with Rev. 14:17-18 where the angel has the sickle, and then instruction is given.

Rev. 14:17-18 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven (this is the sixth angel of Rev. 9:13-14),
he also having a sharp sickle. (this sharp sickle is the great river Euphrates, the sealed 144,000)
18And another angel came out from the altar (this is one of the four horns of the golden altar, 9:13),
which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying (this is one of the four horns of the golden altar giving instruction to the sixth angel. Notice the "loud" cry that identifies him as the angel of Rev. 1:!),
Thrust in thy sharp sickle (The Rev. 1:1 angel instructs John to engage the 144,000),
and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth (to gather the wicked also called in Rev. 7:1-3 the earth, sea, and tree. These three are also called in Rev. 14:7 the earth, sea, and fountains of waters.

And notice in Rev. 7:2 that the hurt, attack, is not upon the saints of God who have joined with the 13:1 and 13:11 beasts, but the beasts themselves and their supporting armies (Rev. 19:19-21);
for her grapes are fully ripe. (So it should be noted that the clusters are these three groups, but the targeted clusters are the sea and the earth as stated in Rev. 7:2.)

Rev. 7:2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,

Thus, the 144,000 are not targeting their own who joined these wicked beasts, but the wicked beasts themselves and their armies, called the earth and the sea. And this is the winepress that the sixth seal (Rev. 6:12-17) is about. So here is the winepress as represented in the sixth seal of the tribulation.

Rev. 6:12-17 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal (in the 3.5 year tribulation that is the winepress),
and, lo, there was a great earthquake;
and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood (This notes the coming destruction of the armies of the wicked 13:1 and 13:11 beasts as stated in Rev. 19:19-21);
13And the stars of heaven (saints of God)
fell unto the earth (fell to the ground in prayer and supplication),
even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
14And the heaven (the 144,000)
departed as a scroll when it is rolled together (advanced on the enemy);
and every mountain and island were moved out of their places (And the 13:1 and 13:11 beasts engaged in battle, Rev. 19:19-21).
15And the kings of the earth (the army of Israel, the river Euphrates, Rev. 9:14, as well as the populations of the world made way and God destroyed the enemy),
and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man,
hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
16And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne,
and from the wrath of the Lamb: (The winepress is observed by the entire population of the world and they are hiding.)
17For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand (The only people who can stand during the winepress is the 144,000)?

In conclusion, the four angels holding the four winds are the four horns of the golden altar and these are the four who bring us the prophecy as stated in Rev. 1:!.

 

[LTL]

As explained in the previous post, the sixth seal (Rev. 6:12-17) is the winepress in Chapter Six. And as a result, it is the winepress in the seals storyline. To me this is incredible. Because it is the only place in the seals storyline that the winepress exists. And it is so hard to see.

However, the ending of the 3.5-year tribulation is the destruction of the beast. The tribulation ends there. And we can look at the four storylines to see the destruction of the beast in the winepress ending of each:

1) Seals storyline winepress ending where the beast is destroyed is the sixth seal at Rev. 6:12-17
2) Trumpets storyline winepress ending where the beast is destroyed is the sixth trumpet at Rev. 9:13-21
3) of the beast storyline winepress ending where the beast is destroyed is the winepress at Rev. 14:17-20
4) Fall of Babylon storyline winepress ending where the beast is destroyed is the winepress at Rev. 19:10-21

5) And as I stated before, Chapter Twelve is parallel to Chapter Six. So there is a winepress ending at Rev. 12:12-17 that is parallel to the sixth seal winepress in Rev. 6:12-17. So this makes two winepress endings in the mark of the beast storyline. I think that is it. I can not think of another winepress ending in the revelation. So that is a total of five winepress ending in the revelation.

So now lets go back to the fifth seal that is the harvest of saints. This is easily seen in Chapter Fourteen where the harvest of saints (Rev. 14:14-16) directly precedes the winepress ending (Rev. 14:17-20). As a result, we can go to each of the five winepress endings to see the harvest of saints in the prophecy.

1) Rev. 6:9-11, Fifth seal of Chapter Six, the harvest of saints that precedes the winepress ending in Rev. 6:12-17
2) Rev. 9:1-12, Fifth trumpet of Chapter Nine, the harvest of saints that precedes the winepress ending in Rev. 9:13-21
3) Rev. 14:14-16, the harvest of saints that precedes the winepress ending in Rev. 14:17-20
4) Rev. 19:1-9, the marriage wherein the 144,000 are sealed that is the beginning of the harvest of saints which precedes the winepress ending in Rev. 19:10-21.

5) And the fifth is Rev. 12:9-11 (parallel to Chapter Six) that is the harvest of saints that precedes the winepress ending in Rev. 12:12-17.

However, where there are only five winepress ending in the revelation, there more references to the harvest of saints.

6) The 144,000 are sealed in Chapter Seven with the marriage celebration (Rev. 7:9-12) that is parallel to the marriage celebration at Rev. 19:1-9 making Chapter Seven a harvest of saints Chapter. That is, Chapter Seven exists within the fifth seal of Chapter Six because it is in the seals storyline. You can not transport Chapter Seven out of the seals storyline.

7) The angel comes down from heaven to give John the little book to eat and this is also a fifth seal event that is revealed by the association between the seals and trumpets storylines in parallel as follows:

Ch. 6 Four seals - Ch. 8 Four trumpets
Ch. 6 Fifth seal - Ch. 9 Fifth trumpet
Ch. 6 Sixth seal - Ch. 9 Sixth trumpet
Ch. 7 harvest of saints - Ch. 10 harvest of saints
Ch. 8 Seventh seal - Ch. 11 Seventh Trumpet

Another give away that Chapter Ten is a harvest of saints chapter is that the Seven Thunders (Rev. 10:3-4) metaphorically represent the 144,000 and by extension the great multitude of Rev. 7:9-12 as well as Rev. 19:1-9. These are in celebration at the marriage sealing of the bride (the seven thunders) to the groom (Jesus). And like Chapter Seven remaining in the fifth seal of the seals storyline, Chapter Ten remains in the fifth trumpet of the trumpets storyline.

8) In the mark of the beast storyline, the harvest of saints is not only referenced as stated in numbers 3 and 5 above. But also in Rev. 13:9-10 harmonizing with Rev. 14:12. This is showing that the intervening verses, Rev. 13:11 through Rev. 14:11 can be set aside. Meaning, that the harvest of saints wherein the marriage is taking place in Rev. 7:9-12 and Rev. 19:1-9 is harmonizing with Rev. 13:9-10 and Rev. 14:12. In other words, the marriage celebration in Chapter Thirteen is at Rev. 13:9-10, and in Chapter Fourteen at Rev. 14:12, making these verses harvest of saints verses.

Further evidence is that Rev. 14:13 transitions out of the mark of the beast storyline to harmonize with in the fall of Babylon storyline at Rev. 19:9. It is for this reason that I consider the harvest of saints in Chapter Nineteen to extend to Verse 19:9. Here are these two verses linking the timeline in both of these storylines.

Rev. 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
Rev. 19:9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

9) And last but not least. Since Rev. 13:9 is in the harvest of saints, then Chapters Two and Three are also in the harvest of saints. Take a close look at this verse:

Rev. 13:9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.

It comes directly from Chapters Two and Three making these two chapters gifts to the marriage. And the reference to these gifts is absolutely brilliant.

To be continued

 

[LTL]

Continuing from the previous post

10) I forgot one. This is the last but not least. In the fall of Babylon storyline we see a solid link from Rev. 6:9-11 to Rev. 18:20. It follows therefore that from Rev. 18:20 to the end of Chapter Eighteen is harvest of saints verses. Meaning that the harvest of saints in the fall of Babylon storyline does not begin at Rev. 19:1 but Rev. 18:20. I realize that this is a bit of a stretch but a close examination of these verses should prove this.

And with this final Rev. 18:20 link we can take a look at the Chapter Six fifth seal that is the harvest of saints.

Rev. 6:9-11 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: (These slain are from the fifth millennium as the church age began. They were killed for their testimonies.)
10And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge (The judgment upon Babylon is in Chapter Seventeen, and the "avenge" links to Rev. 18:20)
our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
11And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled . The brethren to be killed are those saints of the 3.5 year tribulation giving their testimonies that Jesus is the Christ (Rev. 12:11)

Rev. 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Rev. 13:6-7 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. 7And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them (As in forcing the saints to take the mark of the beast): and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

In conclusion, the harvest of saints takes place directly before the winepress ending of the 3.5 year tribulation. Also, Rev. 9:5 appears to be showing that the harvest of saints in the tribulation is five months long. So the time of the tribulation for the saints of God is about three years in length.

 

[JohnDB]

Continuing from the previous post

10) I forgot one. This is the last but not least. In the fall of Babylon storyline we see a solid link from Rev. 6:9-11 to Rev. 18:20. It follows therefore that from Rev. 18:20 to the end of Chapter Eighteen is harvest of saints verses. Meaning that the harvest of saints in the fall of Babylon storyline does not begin at Rev. 19:1 but Rev. 18:20. I realize that this is a bit of a stretch but a close examination of these verses should prove this.

And with this final Rev. 18:20 link we can take a look at the Chapter Six fifth seal that is the harvest of saints.

Rev. 6:9-11 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: (These slain are from the fifth millennium as the church age began. They were killed for their testimonies.)
10And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge (The judgment upon Babylon is in Chapter Seventeen, and the "avenge" links to Rev. 18:20)
our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
11And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled . The brethren to be killed are those saints of the 3.5 year tribulation giving their testimonies that Jesus is the Christ (Rev. 12:11)

Rev. 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Rev. 13:6-7 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. 7And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them (As in forcing the saints to take the mark of the beast): and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

In conclusion, the harvest of saints takes place directly before the winepress ending of the 3.5 year tribulation. Also, Rev. 9:5 appears to be showing that the harvest of saints in the tribulation is five months long. So the time of the tribulation for the saints of God is about three years in length.

Are you aware of the old Testament formula for foretelling future events? Near, far, mid term ? You know....order they were told in. Like in Isaiah or Ezekiel.

 

[LTL]

Are you aware of the old Testament formula for foretelling future events? Near, far, mid term ? You know....order they were told in. Like in Isaiah or Ezekiel.

Yes, and John makes reference to his gospel in Rev. 1:2 in that order. Also the reference in Rev. 1:19 has that order.

2Who bare record of the word of God (John 1) , and of the testimony of Jesus Christ (John 21) , and of all things that he saw (John 2-20).

19Write the things which thou hast seen (Rev. 1), and the things which are (Rev. 22), and the things which shall be hereafter (Rev. 2-21);

But I am just going off memory and I am trying to keep an order but get a little burn out. So the order I am going with is to touch upon the four major storyline events, and then catch the secondary references. But not to concerned with the order other than that.

So the four winepress references are:
1) Rev. 6:12-17
2) Rev. 9:13-21
3) Rev. 14:17-20
4) Rev. 19:10-21 (And I include Rev. 19:10 because I like to highlight the Rev. 19:9 link to Rev. 14:13)

5) And the secondary reference to the winepress is Rev. 12:12-17.

And next is the harvest references
1) Rev. 6:9-11
2) Rev. 9:1-12
3) Rev. 14:14-16
4) Rev. 19:1-9

And the secondary references to the harvest are:
5) Rev. 7:1-17
6) Rev. 10:1-11
7) Rev. 12:9-11
8) Rev. 13:9 linking to Chapters 2-3
9) Rev. 13:10 linking to Rev. 14:12 (And the excluded verses are Rev. 13:11 through Rev. 14:11. I may need to revise this at some point. But these verses are retro to Rev. 13:1-10. And it makes me feel like I am counting them twice.)
10) Rev. 18:20-24 (This is not completely researched but appears to be correct.)

Thank you for your kind response.

 

[LTL]

So I am working backwards from the sixth seal to the fifth seal and now the fourth seal.

The fourth seal (Rev. 6:7-8) is the burning of Babylon. And the easiest way to see this is in the fall of Babylon storyline at Rev. 18:5-19. Here are the storyline references followed by the secondary references.

1) Rev. 6:7-8 is the burning of Babylon in the seals storyline
2) Rev. 8:12 is the burning of Babylon in the trumpets storyline
3) Rev. 13:1-8 is the burning of Babylon in the mark of the beast storyline. Occurring at the same time with Rev. 13:1-8 is Rev. 13:11-18 (retro, Rev. 13:11 to Rev. 14:11). The interesting thing about this storyline is that Chapter Twelve could be counted as the primary. However, Chapter Twelve seems to be more secondary. Because, when I think about the mark of the beast storyline, Chapter Thirteen come to mind and not Chapter Twelve. So, Chapter Twelve, to me, is secondary.
4) Rev. 18:5-19 is the burning of Babylon in the fall of Babylon storyline

5) Rev. 12:7-8 and the reason is that Chapter Twelve harmonizes with Chapter Six.

And that is it. So now lets look at the fourth seal.

Rev. 6:8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: (The pale horse metaphorically represents John. He is so humble that he would not give his horse a color like the white representing the Father, the red representing the Son, or the black representing the angel. No, he simply called his horse pale in comparison to the others.)
and his name that sat on him was Death, (Death is the beast of Rev. 13:1)
and Hell followed with him. (Hell is called blasphemy as well as the mouth of the beast in Chapter Thirteen).
And power was given unto them (Power, from John, is given to the two beasts of Chapter Thirteen)
over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth These are the plagues also stated in Rev. 18:8.

I should mention that the four seals (Rev. 6:1-8) show the line of power. It flows from the Father to Jesus to the angel to John to the beast and his false prophet and lastly to the 144,-000 servants. Thus, the beasts are allowed to have power just as the 144,000 are allowed to have power. The beasts use their power to destroy mankind, and the 144,000 use their power to gather the saints of God. So the destruction of the plagues goes first, and then the harvest.

 

[LTL]

Continuing with the seals. And having previously gone over the sixth, fifth, and fourth seals, now comes the third that is the exodus.

1) Rev. 6:5-6 is the exodus in the seals storyline that precedes the burning of Babylon in Rev. 6:7-8. This is easy to see due to the Chapter Twelve parallel at Rev. 12:5-6 which is the exodus in that chapter.
2) Rev. 8:10-11 is the exodus in the trumpets storyline that precedes the burning of Babylon in Rev. 8:12. Here in Verses 8:10-11 we see the false prophet Wormwood leading the saints of God down a path other than the two authorized by the Savior in Rev. 6:5-6.
3) Rev. 12:5-6 harmonizing with Verses 6:5-6 is the exodus in the mark of the beast storyline that precedes the burning of Babylon in Rev. 12:7-8.
4) Rev. 18:1-4 is the exodus in the fall of Babylon storyline. And while Rev. 18:1-2 may not fit this perfectly, as is the case of the few verses following Rev. 18:4. Nevertheless, I think Verses 8:1-2 go with Verses 18:3-4 better than assigning them to the judgment portion in Chapter Seventeen. So here in Chapter Eighteen the dividing lines are Rev. 18:1-4 as the exodus and Rev. 18:5-19 as the burning of Babylon.

And now for the secondary references.

5) Rev. 7:1-3 And we begin in the seals storyline where the angel from the east instructs the four angels. This is a highly complex set of verses that links to Rev. 6:1-8, Rev. 6:12-17, Rev. 8:13, Rev. 14:6-7, Rev. 16:12, Rev. 19:17, and perhaps a few others that I am not thinking of at the moment. So the details of Rev. 7:1-3 will be presented in a future posting. Nevertheless, the 144,000 are on the exodus during some of the time represented in these three verses.

6) Rev. 8:13 And this verse is not as difficult to explain. The 144,000 are on the exodus from the third trumpet as listed above in item number 2. And the angel calls them to gather for the harvest and the winepress that are stated in Chapter Nine. This call is also stated in Rev. 7:1-3, Rev. 14:6, and Rev. 19:17.
As the exodus comes to a close, the 144,000 are called to serve. But I am not showing a demarcation between these two events: the exodus proper and the staging to serve (Rev. 14:1).

7) As we move along in the prophecy, the exodus permeates throughout the text, but often behind the scenes. And especially in Chapter Thirteen. So while the two beasts are doing their thing, the 144,000 are on the exodus, and then standing with the Savior as shown in Rev. 14:1. But as I stated in a former post, they are in position at Rev. 13:10 linking to Rev. 14:12. That is, the verses between Rev. 13:10 and Rev. 14:12 are extra information verses. They are an aside to the storyline.

8) And there are secondary references to the exodus in the fall of Babylon storyline but they are in large part behind the scenes similar to the mark of the beast storyline.

In conclusion, the exodus is by far the most covered section of the prophecy.

 

[LTL]

Understanding Rev. 7:1-3, part 1

1) Rev. 7:1-3 And after these things
The things being referenced are the seals that were opened in Rev. 5:5 that John has just viewed in Chapter Six.
So, "after these things" means after viewing the seals that Jesus opened in Rev. 5:5.

2) I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth,

John now sees four angels and these are recorded as four beasts in Rev. 5:6, in the midst of which stands the Savior.

Rev. 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

And notice that John uses past tense where he states "God sent forth into all the earth."
So the proper dissection of Verse 5:6 is:

a) And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain
b) (things not mentioned)
c) having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

And item "b" is where the missing things from Rev. 7:1-3 go. That before God sent forth the horns, eyes, and spirits of God, he and the others of the four had authority over the earth. Because, Jesus had paid with his life (Rev. 5:6) for this position of authority. Therefore, having power and authority over the earth via the atonement, the four winds (beasts: Father, Son, Angel, and John, Rev. 1:1), have authority "standing" on the four corners of the earth. That is, the atonement gave Jesus power and authority over the earth. And he is the central figure in the midst of the four v. 5:6 beasts (vv. 7:1-3 angels).

3) holding the four winds of the earth,

The four winds are the four judgments.
a) upon Babylon, and this is recorded in the seals storyline at Rev. 6:1-8, in the trumpets storyline at Rev. 8:7-12, in the mark of the beast storyline at Rev. 12:1-8, in the fall of Babylon storyline at Rev. 17:1-18
b) upon heaven and this is the harvest of saints recorded in the seals storyline at Rev. 6:9-11, in the trumpets storyline at Rev. 9:1-12, in the mark of the beast storyline at Rev. 14:14-16, and in the fall of Babylon storyline at Rev. 18:1-4. And remember that there are secondary references in each of these storylines.
c) the winepress and this is the ending of the tribulation where the two beasts and their armies are destroyed as recorded in the seals storyline at Rev. 6:12-17, in the trumpets storyline at Rev. 9:13-21, in the mark of the beast storyline at Rev. 14:17-20, and in the fall of Babylon storyline at Rev. 19:10-21.
d) the wrath of God ending that I have not included in any of my posts thus far but is the ending of mankind where the earth is burned. And in the seals storyline it is at Rev. 8:1-6, in the trumpets storyline at Rev. 11:15-19, in the mark of the beast storyline at Rev. 16:17-21, and in the fall of Babylon storyline at Rev. 20:1-3.

These four judgments are easily seen as
a) the four trumpets of Chapter Eight (Rev. 8:7-12)
b) 1st woe, the fifth trumpet (Rev. 9:1-12)
c) 2nd woe, the sixth trumpet (Rev. 9:13-21)
d) 3rd woe, the seventh trumpet (Rev. 11:15-19)

And so the four angels of Rev. 1:1, having authority over the earth, resulting from the Savior's atonement, prevent the judgments from taking place.

4) that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.

That the judgments should not begin on the beasts of Rev. 13:11, Rev. 13:1, Rev. 8:10-11, or any of their followers (items a, b, c, and d, above). That is, the judgments upon these three groups of people are being prevented by the four leaders listed in Rev. 1:1. And they have been prevented for the last 2,000 years until the time of the 3.5- year tribulation. And even during this tribulation the judgments upon these three groups are prevented until the 144,000 are seal as stated in the next verses.

To be continued

 

[LTL]

Continued from the previous post

Understanding Rev. 7:1-3, part 2

5) And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice

As previously stated, the angel with the "loud voice" is the angel of Rev. 1:1. He is the rider of the red horse in Rev. 6:4 receiving power from the Savior. The Savior is the rider of the white horse in Rev. 6:2 receiving power from the Father. And this power pertains to the seals that Jesus opened when he sacrificed himself for his saints (Rev. 5:5) as well as mankind.

It follows therefore that this angel is the power by which John is instructed to do his work. And this is evidenced where this angel (Rev. 10:1-3) gave John the little book to eat (Rev. 10:9-10).

Therefore, the seal of the living God ascends from the east (Rev. 7:2) via the angel of Rev. 10:1. Or rather, the angel ascending from the east having the seal of the living God (Rev. 7:2) is the angel of Rev. 10:1. So keep in mind that one of the identifying markers for the angel of Rev. 1:1 is that he speaks with a loud voice throughout the revelation.

6) to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,

And so it is that the angel of Rev. 10:1 speaking to the four angels of Rev. 7:1-2, that are the four beasts of Rev. 5:6, instructs them to not hurt the earth and sea which exclusively pertains to the winepress in Rev. 14:17-20. Not that this angel can instruct God who is represented as two of the four. But that he has authority representing God over the seal by which the 144,000 are sealed in Rev. 7:4-8.

And the fact that this angel ascends from the east designates that the 144,000 to be sealed are in the west. And again these things are item "b" in the former post at number 2, being a part of Rev. 5:6.

To be continued

 

[LTL]

Continued from the previous post

Understanding Rev. 7:1-3, part 3

7) Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

The angel with the loud voice, which is the angel of Rev. 10:1, instructs to "hurt not" as explained in the previous post. And now we have a qualifier to "hurt not" until the 144,000 servants are sealed. Then after they are sealed, the four leaders can hurt. As shown in the Rev. 14:14-16 harvest, excluding the followers of Wormwood (Rev. 8:10-11). And then in the winepress hurting the Rev. 13:11 and Rev. 13:1 beasts (Rev. 19:10-21).

That is, at Rev. 14:1 the 144,000 servants have already been sealed. And as a result, the four leaders are ready to hurt the beasts of Rev. 13:11 (earth), and Rev. 13:1 (sea), as well as Rev. 8:10-11, (Wormwood/trees). Although Wormwood most likely will have been killed before this time. But the followers who took the mark of the beast are still in the populations. And to exclude them from the harvest of saints is hurting them.

Thus the harvest of saints occurs (Rev. 14:14-16), and the followers of the false prophet Wormwood are hurt. Because, they are excluded from the harvest and subject to Lucifer and his demons as shown in Rev. 9:1-12. Bad news for the saints of God who take the mark of the beast (Rev. 14:9-11). Their choice was to die at the hand of the beast (Rev. 13:6-7), having the testimony of Jesus (Rev. 12:11). Or take the mark and then suffer a couple of years later at the hand of Lucifer's demons (Rev. 12:1-12). Then again be excluded during the 3.5 year judgment (Rev. 16:4-7). In either case, the followers of Wormwood will meet their deaths before the seven years are over. It would be better for them to keep their eternal salvation and die for their testimony in Jesus.

To be continued

 

[LTL]

Continued from the previous post

Understanding Rev. 7:1-3, part 4

As explained previously, Rev. 5:5 is expanded in Chapter Six, and likewise, Rev. 5:6 is expanded in Chapter Seven. And these are seals storyline expansions. The other three storylines have expansions as well. And I think many of these contain the secondary references that I presented in my previous posts. So it is reasonable that many of the secondary references presented earlier are simply expansions to some primary reference in a particular storyline. And I have not gone through the storylines to see if all the secondary references are expansions. But some are, and maybe all are. And it may be the case that asides to the storylines exist; which I had concluded a few years ago. But I now believe that all the asides to the storylines are simply secondary references and expansions. Nevertheless, I do use these words to mean very similar things. So at times I think of an association as an aside, or a secondary reference, or an expansion. I don't know if it really matters how they are viewed.

Consider Chapter Nineteen for example. There is a clear dividing line in the chapter at Rev. 19:10. That is, the subject changes from the marriage in verses Rev. 19:1-8 to the marriage supper in verses Rev. 19:11-21. This sharp dividing line in Chapter Nineteen represents the demarcation from the fifth seal to the sixth when harmonized with the seals of Chapter Six. If it was only this then we could say Chapter Nineteen simply chronological.

However, Rev. 19:11 regresses back to the first seal at Rev. 6:2 which is the atonement in Rev. 5:5. And since Rev. 5:5 is represented in Rev. 19:11, then the following verses, Rev. 19:12-16, are represented in Rev. 5:6. And since Rev. 5:6 is also represented in Rev. 7:1-3, then Rev. 19:12-16 are harmonious with Rev. 7:1-3.

Basically it means that since Rev. 7:1-3 is secondary to Rev. 5:5, then Rev. 19:12-16 is secondary to Rev. 19:10. That the spirit of prophecy referenced in Rev. 19:10 is stated in Rev. 19:12-16. And I realize this may not make much sense, but it aligns the seals in Rev. 7:4-8 with the call in Rev. 8:13 as well as 14:6 and 19:17. Thus the call and sealing of the 144,000 is represented in the four storylines.

Supporting evidence is found in the trumpets storyline at Rev. 9:13-15 as follows:

Rev. 9:13-15 And the sixth angel sounded,

This sixth angel is the angel from the east of Rev. 7:1-3.

and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,

The voice is the Savior in the midst (Rev. 5:6). The four horns are the four leaders (Rev. 1:1) also called the four angels in Rev. 7:1-3 and the four beasts in Rev. 5:6.

14Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet,

The Savior speaking to the angel of Rev. 10:1 that is the angel from the east in Rev. 7:1-3.

Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.

As you may recall, this angel, that is the angel from the east with the loud voice, constrained the four angels in Rev. 7:1-3. So now as the sixth angel he is instructed to release the four that were constrained. And it is all metaphorical. But it is saying now that the 144,000 have been sealed, then they can be used. So the four leaders were bound because the 144,000 were not sealed. But now that they are sealed, then the four leaders are no longer bound from using them.
And here in the trumpets storyline where were they sealed but Rev. 8:13? Therefore, the sealing of the 144,000 in Rev. 7:4-8 is also in Rev. 8:13, Rev. 14:6, and Rev. 19:17.
And Rev. 19:17 is secondary to the marriage sealing in Rev. 19:1-8 which is the point of this exercise providing supporting evidence to my previous conclusions above. That the sealing of the 144,000 is represented in each of the four stroylines.

15And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.

And the four leaders were released to conduct the winepress destroying the beasts of Rev. 13:1 (sea) and Rev. 13:11 (earth). (Rev. 7:2). And this is the winepress of Rev. 14:17-20, Rev. 19:19-21.

 

[LTL]

As demonstrated in the previous posts, the three verses at the beginning of Chapter Seven are a big deal. They basically say that God will not go against the beast and false prophet until the 144,000 are sealed with power and authority. And then later at Rev. 9:13-15, after the 144,000 have been sealed, then God will go against these two wicked beasts. And this warfare engagement is called the winepress, and recorded in Rev. 6:12-17, Rev. 9:13-21, Rev. 14:17-20 as well as Rev. 19:19-21, etc. Interestingly, at Rev. 12:12-17 the winepress verses include the harvest that is recorded in Rev, 6:9-11, Rev. 14:14-16, and so forth.

The manner in which the 144,000 are given power and authority begins with the atonement of Jesus Christ at Rev. 5:5 that is restated in Rev. 6:2.
After the Savior has received power and authority via the atonement, He then gives power and authority to the angel of Rev. 10:1 at Rev. 6:4.
This angel then gives power and authority to John in Rev. 6:5-6. And then John gives power and authority to the 144,000 in the sealing at Rev. 7:4-8.

Interestingly, in Rev. 7:1-3, the angel from the east is the angel with the loud voice.

Rev. 7:2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,

And the angel with the loud voice in the Book of Revelation is the angel of Rev. 1:1. It is he who has authority over John as demonstrated in Rev. 10:8-10. And in Rev. 10:3 this angel has the loud voice.

More importantly however, this angel with the loud voice metaphorically instructs the four angels in both Rev. 7:1-3 and Rev. 9:13-15 showing that he receives instruction from God, and John functions under his authority.

Understanding the flow of power and authority in Chapters Six and Seven is one of the critical elements to understanding the revelation and the prophecy.

 

[LTL]

And I explained Chapter Nineteen to some degree. Think of this chapter in chiasmus form as follows:

Rev. 19:1-9, the marriage
Rev. 19:10
Rev. 19:11-21, the marriage supper

Both the marriage and the marriage supper have several parts.

For example, the alignment verse Rev. 19:9 is in the marriage section. As you may recall, this verse aligns the marriage in Chapter Nineteen to the marriage in Chapter Fourteen. That is, Rev. 14:12 is the marriage, and Rev. 14:13 is the marriage alignment verse. And since Rev. 14:12 is the marriage, and this verse aligns to Rev. 13:10, then this verse (v. 13:10) is the marriage in Chapter Thirteen. And preceding the marriage in Rev. 13:10 is the gifts of the marriage from Chapters Two and Three. Think of it as a tether from Chapters Two and Three, through Chapter Thirteen, and then Chapter Fourteen, arriving at Chapter Nineteen. Or think of it the other way around.

And in the chiasmus above, Rev. 19:10 is the center. And the center is the focus of the chapter. Here is the Chapter Nineteen center.

Rev. 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Basically, the verse is hiding "the spirit of prophecy." That is, Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy. In other words, the 144,000 sealed at the marriage have not only the testimony of Jesus which means to live till He comes. But they also have within them Jesus Christ. And this is what the sealing is. That like Jesus having the Father, the 144,000 have Jesus. And since they have Jesus, they have the Father as shown in Rev. 14:1. In other words, the power and authority transfers in Chapter Six are the means by which the 144,000 are sealed to the Father. And that sealing to the Father is the marriage in Chapter Nineteen.

It follows therefore, that the prophecy via the Savior pertains to the marriage supper. Or we can say, the prophecy is via the 144,000 because they have the Savior within. In other words, Rev. 19:11-21 is the prophecy of the Savior and by extension the 144,000. It is like the 144,000 calling to themselves. Here is the first part of the section (Rev. 19:11-16).

a) Rev. 19:11 And I saw heaven (the 144,000)
opened (sealed),
and behold a white horse (the Father);
and he that sat upon him (Jesus receives power and authority from the Father)
was called Faithful and True,
and in righteousness (in the Davidic King John)
he doth judge and make war (Jesus judges and makes war).
b) 12His eyes (the 144,000, Rev. 5:6)
were as a flame of fire,
and on his head were many crowns (the crowns of the 144,000 kings, Rev. 1:6, Rev. 4:10-11 are on Jesus' head);
and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
13And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood:
and his name is called The Word of God.
c) 14And the armies (144,000)
which were in heaven (on the earth)
followed him upon white horses (They follows Jesus each having the power and authority of the Father, Rev. 14:1),
clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
b) 15And out of his mouth (Out of Jesus' angel Rev. 10:1)
goeth a sharp sword (the sword is the Davidic King John. Remember from Rev. 6:4 the rider of the red horse has the sword. Thus, the red horse is the Savior, the rider is the angel of Rev. 10:1, and the sword is John.),
that with it (that the angel of Rev. 10:1 with the sword that is John)
he (the angel)
should smite the nations (smite the nations of the world):
and he (the angel of Rev. 10:1)
shall rule them (shall rule the populations of the world)
with a rod of iron (with the Davidic King John):
and he (the angel of Rev. 10:1)
treadeth the winepress (treads the beasts and their armies)
of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
a) 16And he (God Almighty Rev. 1:8)
hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written,
KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS (Rev. 17:14).

The above chiasmus summarized"
a) Father and Son
b) 144,000 and Jesus
c) 144.000, Jesus, and the Father
b) angel, John,
a) Jesus

After I wrote the above summary I could see a reverse in the antithesis identifying "his thigh" in Rev. 19:16 as the 144,000. Next is the corrected chiasmus summary

a) Father and Son
b) 144,000 and Jesus (a name)
c) 144.000, Jesus, and the Father
b) Jesus and the 144,000 (a name)
a) angel, John,

Notice that after the correction, "a" shows the four leaders, and the "b" thesis/antithesis is parallel.